Russian Court Rejects Brittney Griner's Sentence Appeal

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A Russian court on October 25 rejected an appeal by US basketball player Brittney Griner against her nine-year prison sentence for drug smuggling and possession, according to local reports.

Footage released by Zvezda News shows Griner appearing at Moscow Regional Court via video link.

“People commit more dangerous crimes and get shorter sentences, I ask you to review and reassess the sentence. I regret this mistake, I am guilty, but I had no intent, and I hope that the court will take this into account,” Griner said in court, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

While upholding the sentence, the court said Griner’s prison time would be recalculated to reflect time served in pre-trial detention, resulting in an eight year prison term.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist and eight-time WNBA All-Star was detained at Russian customs in February after arriving from New York at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport.

Russian authorities said Griner was in possession of vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis. Griner was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison in August.

“Today’s decision while unfortunate, was not unexpected and Brittney Griner remains wrongly detained. We greatly appreciate the ongoing efforts of the Administration and U.S. Department of State in leading the negotiations. It is time to bring this case to an end and bring BG home,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said on Tuesday.

The US and Russia have been negotiating a possible prisoner exchange of Griner, according to reports. Credit: Zvezda News via Storyful

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